FILE - In this Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, file photo, Boston Celtics' Kyrie Irving leaves a news conference in Boston. When Irving approached Cavs owner Dan Gilbert and asked to be traded so he could get out of James’ shadow, it set in motion a series of events that couldn’t have been imagined. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson, File)

Irving, who asked to be traded out of Cleveland and wound up with the Celtics this summer after three straight NBA Finals trips with LeBron James and the Cavaliers, says he sees "a vast difference" between the cities.

"Boston, I'm driving in and (thinking), 'I'm really playing in a real, live sports city?'" Irving told reporters Wednesday, in comments published by The Charlotte Observer.

"A lot of different cultures, food and people. You get it all, especially in Boston," Irving also said. "You would go to Cleveland, and it would be at nighttime, and things would be going on, but you just see a vast difference."